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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal condition characterized
by abdominal pain and cramps; changes in bowel movements (diarrhea,
constipation, or both); gassiness; bloating; nausea; and other symptoms.
There is no cure for IBS. Much about the condition remains unknown or
poorly understood; however, dietary changes, drugs, and psychological
treatment are often able to eliminate or substantially reduce its symptoms.
Irritable bowel syndrome is the name people use today for a condition
that was once called--among other things--colitis, mucous colitis, spastic
colon, nervous colon, spastic bowel, and functional bowel disorder.
Some of these names reflected the now outdated belief that IBS is a
purely psychological disorder, a product of the patient's imagination.
Although modern medicine recognizes that stress can trigger IBS attacks,
medical specialists agree that IBS is a genuine physical disorder--or
group of disorders--with specific identifiable characteristics.
Irritable bowel syndrome is called a functional disorder because there
is no sign of disease when the colon is examined. Because physicians
have been unable to find an organic cause, IBS often has been thought
to be caused by emotional conflict or stress. While stress may worsen
IBS symptoms, research suggests that other factors also are important.
The severity of the disorder varies from person to person. Some people
experience symptoms that come and go and are just mildly annoying, while
others have such severe daily bowel problems that IBS affects their
ability to work, sleep and enjoy life. In addition, symptoms may change
over time. A person may have severe symptoms for several weeks and then
feel well for months or even years. Most people are never cured of IBS,
but the disorder is not related to any other disease, and does not develop
into any other disease, such as ulcerative colitis or colon cancer.
Irritable bowel syndrome normally makes its first appearance during
young adulthood, and in half of all cases symptoms begin before age
35. Women with IBS outnumber men by two to one, for reasons that are
not yet understood. IBS is responsible for more time lost from work
and school than any medical problem other than the common cold. It accounts
for a substantial proportion of the patients seen by specialists in
diseases of the digestive system (gastroenterologists). Yet only half--possibly
as few as 15%--of IBS sufferers ever consult a doctor. Irritable bowel
syndrome is not contagious, inherited, or cancerous. However, IBS often
disrupts daily living activities. Nineteen percent of respondents in
a survey of married or cohabiting people with IBS stated that they had
difficulties in their personal relationships, and 45% stated that IBS
interfered with their sex life.
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News:
I am a psychiatrist with over 30 years’ experience of
working with agoraphobia and have written “Freedom From
Agoraphobia.” This is a program for overcoming agoraphobia
both for people who have the condition and for therapists.
In order to make its contents available to more people, I
shall be sending in the educational portions of this book
as articles free to subscribers to Phobics-Awareness.org.
Mark Eisenstadt, M.D.
Read More
Here
There are Thirteen articles now.
We would like to welcome Steve Woods to the
site, I am the Hypnotist, Chinosis Coach and joint Director
of Positive Thoughts based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire.
I also spend a lot of time in Birmingham so have a business
base there, My qualifications are R.Hyp, R.Chi.C, S.N.H.S.
Dip(Hypnotherapy). I am a Member of the Academy of Hypnotic
Arts (M.A.H.A.).
Steve is going to help out with any Q&A you may have,
The Q&A will be on the
Forum
Under Hypnosis.
You can find Steve's site Here
New Book:
We though agoraphobics may be interested in this book.
Jack Madigan is, by many accounts, blessed. Thanks to his
legendary rock star father, he lives an enviable existence
in a once-glorious, but now crumbling, Boston town house with
his teenage son, Harlan. There's just one problem: Jack is
agoraphobic. While living on his dad's dwindling royalties
hasn't been easy, Jack and Harlan have bumbled along just
fine. Until the money runs out...and so does Jack's luck Read
More
click the banner below to visit
www.hypnoshop.com
Self Hypnosis is a powerful tool for making positive changes
within your life. Hypnosis has been used for centuries and
has been put to many great uses, helping millions of people
to stop smoking, lose weight, conquer fears and phobias, and
much more.
Relaxation Tapes & CD's
We are hoping to offer tapes and CD's very soon, The only
cost will be for postage and packing, We believe in trying
to keep the price as low as possible, You can find some CD's
on the forum
Storm Phobias
I know this time of year in the UK can be a worrying time
for people who suffer from storm phobias,
Especially thunder and lightning, I will be working on this
part of the site over the next few weeks, In the mean time
I've added a lightning detector so you can see where the storms
are, It refreshes every 60 seconds, You can find It Here
Also check out the Net Weather web site Here.
More about Storm Phobia Here
Books
The Driving Fear Program
The Driving Fear program is a self-help resource for those
with a fear of driving, or a driving related phobia such as
fear of highways or bridges. It includes articles on specific
coping techniques and a comprehensive e-book program in use
by clinicians and individuals worldwide, Find out more Here
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